Leaky mode propagation in planar multi-layer inhomogeneous birefringent waveguides: polar dielectric tensor configuration

Abstract

The lightwave propagation characteristics in planar inhomogeneous multi-layered anisotropic waveguides having a polar dielectric tensor configuration are investigated. The transition from guided modes to leaky modes is found to be dependent on the azimuth angle theta and on the type and thickness of the embedded metal and buffer layers. The guided mode losses assume the lowest values (about 10dB cm-1) for a Ag layer. The leaky mode losses exhibit a peak near the critical angle theta c and then decrease with increasing azimuth angle. This effect can be advantageously exploited to build integrated optical devices such as angle deviation detectors. For a structure with a Ni layer the authors find theta c approximately=25.5 degrees and the loss value is the highest calculated to date ( alpha approximately=1280 dB cm-1).